Majors Cornell and Candace Voeller have been appointed as regional leader and assistant regional leader for Hungary in the Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory. It is anticipated they will assume these responsibilities in Budapest in July 2025.
“We had told The Salvation Army that we were very interested in an appointment in Eastern Europe,” Major Cornell said. “It came together quickly. All of the right doors opened.”
Major Candace added, “There is excitement, but we are still wrapping our minds around it. It’s a place that we don’t have a lot of knowledge about. We are going into this with faith and trust in Christ’s leadership in our lives to provide us with what we need.”
Married in 1994, the Voellers have led corps in Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri and Minnesota and have held divisional headquarters appointments both in the Kanas/Western Missouri and Western Michigan/Northern Indiana (now Great Lakes) divisions.
Since June 2022, the majors have been leading the Army’s work in Rochester, Minn., which includes a corps but also a vast array of services with more than 20 social services programs, a medical clinic, a dental clinic and a pharmacy. They also oversee a large outreach to people experiencing homelessness that includes a meal program and 32 transitional housing apartments.
While they have never been to Hungary, the majors have been a part of mission teams in Jamaica, and Major Cornell also has been on teams in India and Sri Lanka.
They also have served overseas, leading a corps in Stockholm, Sweden, in the Sweden and Latvia Territory from 2010 to 2013. While in Sweden, they started a food pantry and an angel tree program.
At the time, their four sons were living with them.
“It was just a great experience for our whole family. It has really shaped our family—even today,” Major Candace recalled, saying their family often talks about those years. “It was such a meaningful time for each of us.”
As they look to Hungary, the majors are beginning to learn the language.
“We are starting to pick up some phrases,” Major Cornell said, adding that the language has been a bit more difficult to learn than Swedish.
They also are learning some about The Salvation Army’s ministry in Hungary. They say three things stand out as priorities: youth ministries, expanding the Roma ministry, and the anti-human-trafficking program.
“These were three priorities mentioned by the current officers there. We want to continue where they have been putting their focus,” Major Candace added.
One difficult aspect of their upcoming appointment will be that their sons are now grown and won’t be going with them.
“We will be leaving them behind, but trusting that God is there for them,” Major Candace said. “Everything about this is trust and faith and having confidence in Christ. He is the Lord of our lives. And we follow where He leads us.”
